Hot weather shrouds city as storms roll in

If getting a quality sleep last night proved to be a drama, it was the same across the city.

Summer’s brutal bite meant the city did not cool down until 5.30am Monday - and even then it was a relatively balmy 21.3 degrees. It was still 28 degrees at 11pm, and just under 30 degrees at 9pm.

Monday is expected to be the city’s warmest day of the week, with a top of 35 expected.

Beachgoers are in luck, with good water quality at all 36 of the Port Phillip Bay beaches.

A drop in temperatures associated with possible thunderstorms is not expected to last.

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast showers on Tuesday, and possible showers on Thursday and Friday. On the same days, there is also the chance of a thunderstorm. There is a chance of thunderstorms across much of the state during the week.

But there is no rain expected and the possibility of lightning strikes will have fire crews on alert.

AAP reports that Victorian firefighters have brought one bushfire in the Grampians under control but there is still a risk it may join up with another burning out of control near a small farming community.

The Country Fire Authority says the 800-hectare Jensen’s Road fire, 30 kilometres north of Dunkeld, could reach communities in Mirranatwa and Victoria Valley on Monday.

Eight houses are in the direct line of the fire. However the flames have moved into low country which has made ‘‘attacking it’’ easier, a CFA spokesperson said.

The 838-hectare Clutterbucks Road blaze is now under control, but the CFA says there are still concerns about the two fires joining up.

The 200 firefighters in the area are being helped by 14 aircraft, including the water-bombing helicopter Elvis.

Fire Services Commissioner Craig Lapsley says it will only take ‘‘a little bit of wind’’ to push the flames out of the bush and into open land.

‘‘If the winds get up today, which it is expected to this morning, it will come out into the private land in the Victoria Valley area and also Mirranatwa,’’ Mr Lapsley told Fairfax radio on Monday.

‘‘It’s only about three kilometres in the bush.

‘‘The other thing that may happen is the type of weather we’ve experienced could pick up embers and put them 20-30km down the valley.’’

Mr Lapsley said the communities were well prepared but there was still a danger of spot fires.

He warned Victoria’s bushfire season was far from over.

‘‘I think we’re in for another few weeks yet and you would suggest we’d make it into the early part of March,’’ he said.